readings: Aira on translation
December 30, 2011
“Faced with the alternative between becoming translators or alcoholic bums, some at least favored the first option.” . . . From Varamo by César Aira trans. Chris Andrews
Month: December 2011
streetscape, two
December 28, 2011
Abstraction, for Jesús Rafael Soto.
fallen, in the forest
December 27, 2011
Las acacias dir. Pablo Giorgelli (2011, 82′) If ever a notion of writing formulated while drunk and likely brandishing a firearm sparked a radical change in the way stories are told, it would have to be Hemingway’s ‘iceberg theory.’ In an interview with George Plimpton for The Paris Review, Hemingway describes his approach as a … More fallen, in the forest
streetscape, one
December 23, 2011
Waking dreamscape: first light in San Telmo.
readings: Oliverio Girondo
December 22, 2011
YOU CAN JOIN YOUR HANDS The people say: Dust, Celestial, Sepulchral, and are left calm, mollified, satisfied. But listen to this cricket, to the soft rain of night, of a lunatic existence. Now is the time for it to sing. Now and not tomorrow. Right now. Here. At our side… as if there were nowhere … More readings: Oliverio Girondo
study in summer, one
December 21, 2011
At the Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur in Buenos Aires. Sunday sloth, street markets, children toddling like ducks. Bicycles. A heat so intense that the smell of these flowers took on a physical form.
the road not taken
December 20, 2011
It’s no secret that I’m terrible with directions. It takes me an inordinately long time to orient myself in a new city, particularly one not organized around a numbered grid, à la New York. But it was a surprise even to me that I managed to get lost inside a building on my way to … More the road not taken
’till death do us part
December 10, 2011
The moon is full tonight And hurts the eyes, It is so definite and bright. What if it has drawn up All quietness and certitude of worth Wherewith to fill its cup, Or mint a second moon, a paradise? – For they are gone from earth. – Philip Larkin Melancholia, dir. Lars von Trier (2011, … More ’till death do us part
where credit is due.
December 2, 2011
Chilean “antipoet” (and physicist, and mathematician) Nicanor Parra was awarded the Premio Cervantes yesterday. One of the most prestigious in the Spanish language, the prize recognizes an author’s lifelong contribution to letters; there can be little question that, in the course of his 97 years, Parra has had a profound effect on the way poetry … More where credit is due.
Heather Cleary 